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Welcome To The Nittany Hockey League Website. Volume I Edition 1
Who are we? The purpose of our league is to provide the adults of this community the opportunity to participate as gentlemen and ladies in friendly although competitive ice hockey, with the primary purpose of exercise and the pure enjoyment of playing hockey " just for the fun of it ". The Nittany Hockey League had its beginning Christmas Eve 1980. An outgrowth of several parent/ youth ice hockey games sponsored by the State College Youth Hockey Association. During these games a number of parents enjoyed themselves so much that they wanted to get together and have pick-up games among themselves. The opportunity presented itself about 5:00 P.M. Christmas Eve 1980. After a youth hockey game, about 20 adults without any equipment rented the outdoor ice from the University, chose teams and played "shinny" for about an hour. I remember it was snowing, and the puck frequently would burrow under the snow on long passes and become lost altogether. Despite the obstacles, a good time was had by all and several more games were held. The next season the enthusiasm was even greater as Penn State opened the new indoor rink. Waiting for the completion of the rink, the season was delayed. We began by inviting all interested parties and then divided the group into three teams according to the color of the jersey that was worn. Red, White, and Blue. these three teams were shortly joined by a fourth team in Green, schedules were drawn and we were underway. No referees, no face offs. Everyone was on the honor system acknowledging our own sins by surrendering the puck to the opposing team. Real ladies and gentlemen. Today we have grown into eleven teams, playing in two divisions; a competitive division and a not quite so competitive division. While there is no question that the most skilled players play in the competitive division, and the least skilled players compete in the less competitive division, the division one plays in is primarily by choice and opportunity. About eighty percent of the players in each division are pretty equal in ability.
The only mandatory equipment are certified facemasks, helmets and hockey skates - no other skates are permitted and helmets and masks are required by rink regulations. However, it is strongly recommended that player's dress as fully equipped as practical. In order of importance it is felt the following are advisable: 1) Shinguards, 2) Cup, 3) Elbow pads, 4) Hockey gloves, 5) Padded hockey pants, 6) Shoulder pads. All games shall be played according to the AHAUS rules with the following exception: Body checking! Because players vary widely in both completeness of equipment and in levels of skill, body checking, is not permitted.
The cost is currently about $6.50 per game. However you can't pay per game. Each team member is assessed an amount to cover the season, with most teams collecting the bill in two portions. The cost does vary with the team you play for because each team is regarded as a club and, within guidelines, is free to manage their own affairs. Each team must have a minum of 13 players and a maximum of 20 active players. Because each team is assessed the cost of ice time, referees, plus incidentals such as pucks; you can understand that it costs less when the bill is divided by 20 than when it is divided by 13. But then you get a lot less ice (playing time). Our seasonal play begins the second Saturday after Labor Day and runs to the Sunday before Easter. This season each team should play 35 games and the team cost should be $3,675ºº. Therefor, if you are on a team with a 20 player roster your cost would be $5.25 per game. If you team only has 13 players the cost would be $8.10. Most teams tend to carry a roster of about 16, where the cost would be $6.55 per game. Now you knew that ice hockey was not a inexpensive sport, didn't you? If you are unsure if this is for you. The best bet may be to wait until the season is underway, and then watch a game or two until you make up your mind. We play three games Saturday mornings 6:30 am until 10 am, three games Sunday night 8:30 pm until midnight, and one game most Tuesday evenings from 9:00 to 10 pm. However, if you wait to long the rosters may all be filled. Once you decide, you can either approach the captain or another team member, or fill out the registration form which you will find in adobe acrobat (pdf) format at the bottom of the page and e-mail to the Commish @ ron@kweis.com. If there is an opening a team captain will contact you. if all rosters are full the Commish will let you know and you will be placed on a waiting list. |